Duo rise to the challenge
TOUR operator Choose A Challenge (CACH), whose young customers combine adventure travel with raising money for good causes, is to expand its footprint across British universities and the US.
“The demand for holidays with a purpose is growing. Sun, sea and sand aren’t enough,” explains Dan Quille, 36, co-founder and chief executive of the London-based business that caters for caring thrillseekers aged 18-35.
He set it up with university friend and chief financial officer Charles Milton in 2008 after a previous project to build a small guest lodge in Tanzania ended in disaster when the builder ran off with most of their money.
The pair used their remaining funds to pay for a Tanzanian friend to study tourism and become a guide offering low-cost climbing tours they organised. Demand from UK students made them realise they had hit on a business opportunity.
Now with a team of nine in the UK and four in its New York office, CACH is forecasting a £3 million plus turnover this year.
Over the decade more than 10,000 of its participants have raised around £20 million for charities, their efforts enabling them to explore iconic places such as Peru’s Inca citadel Machu Picchu, below, Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro and China’s Great Wall, or undertake marathons in Europe and the UK’s three peaks back-to-back trek.
“Our trips are good value,” says Quille. “They allow budget-conscious travellers to stretch themselves with once-in-a-lifetime experiences, boost the incomes of charities and because they are locally-led, bring opportunities and investment to some of the poorest people in the destinations they visit. For visitors it is a powerful way to engage with cultures around the world.”
CACH’s clients agree to fundraise a target amount in the months before departure for one of its eight partner charities that include household names such as Mind. In return the costs of their trip are covered.
“This way charities have access to new rafts of fundraisers,” Quille explains, “and get the donations they specify for projects.”
Former and current students make up its customer core, although the offering has broadened more recently to include non-students, a market CACH plans to develop, possibly with a new trip to Patagonia.
Introducing UK reps to help local guides in the hotels has meant customers are supported every step of the way. “We’re the only UK/US one in our sector to do this,” points out Quille. “That strong safety ethos and the inclusivity really appeal to solo travellers and women.”
The tours have also struck a chord in the US where the concept of “challenge-led events do not really exist”, adds Milton, 34.
“We had to take advantage of the huge growth potential among students there and open an office. Now we have customers in 20 states.
“It was a big step as we are also having to absorb higher costs at home due to the outgoings we pay in foreign currency that have been affected by the economic uncertainty.”
The next aim for the UK is to have student CACH reps on every UK campus by 2020.
“We belong to an amazing world,” says Quille. “Our mission is to show people what’s possible when they go outside their comfort zones.”